Can my dog have turkey?

As long as it’s cooked properly, plain turkey is a fantastic treat that you and your pup can enjoy together. The key word here is plain. To avoid potential health hazards, it’s important to only feed your dog turkey that’s skinless, boneless, and fat-free.

Like any treat, turkey should be given sparingly and shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s total diet Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source .

Turkey is a safe, healthy source of protein for dogs when it’s prepared without seasoning and fats like butter and oil. It’s actually a primary ingredient in several commercial dog food formulas, often chosen for its rich stores of essential vitamins and minerals.

Here are a few tips to keep your furry friend as safe as possible during turkey treat time:

Consulting your veterinarian is the best way to determine the ideal amount of turkey you can feed your dog. However, we’ve compiled a table below with quantities that are in the safe range for the average furry friend.

Please use this table as a reference only, noting that your dog might need smaller portions depending on their age and underlying health conditions.

*Each “piece” equates to a one-inch cube of turkey meat

Turkey can be a wonderful addition to your pup’s diet. White turkey meat makes an especially healthy snack because it’s a lean, highly digestible protein source that’s packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals dogs need to live long, healthy lives. These include:

• Protein. Protein is crucial for your pupper’s overall health. It provides essential compounds like nitrogen, phosphorus, and amino acids that serve as building blocks for healthy hair, skin, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
• B vitamins. Vitamin B12 assists with enzyme function and is beneficial for your dog’s nervous system and intestinal health. Turkey also contains niacin (also known as vitamin B3) and vitamin B6 — an especially important nutrient that supports the nervous system, hormone function, and healthy immune responses.
• Minerals. Turkey contains significant levels of essential minerals like choline, magnesium, potassium, and zinc — all of which are essential to maintaining a dog’s skin and coat; as well as their overall health.

While cooked turkey is okay in small portions, you should never give your dog pre-cooked turkey products (like deli meat or turkey bacon). These compounds contain high amounts of salt and artificial preservatives, which can wreak havoc on a dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) system and lead to a host of other health issues.

Lunch meat, turkey bacon, burgers, and smoked turkey products

Grocery store products like turkey lunch meat and smoked turkey are packed with sodium and seasonings that are toxic to dogs, including garlic and onions.

Dogs who consume too much sodium risk contracting salt toxicosis Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source , a form of poisoning characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. Additionally, long-term sodium overconsumption can result in potentially life-threatening conditions like kidney disease Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source .

Turkey isn’t bad for dogs in small amounts, so long as it’s prepared properly. Here’s what you need to know about the risks of feeding your dog turkey.

• Improperly cooked or raw meat. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Trusted Source American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Not-for-profit organization representing 97,000+ vets. Go to source   opposes feeding raw meat, including poultry, beef, pork, and fish, to dogs because it can make them sick. Improper handling of raw meats also puts pet owners at risk of coming into contact with harmful bacteria.
• Obstructions. Turkey bones can cause intestinal blockages. An obstruction requires surgical removal of the substance causing the blockage and can sometimes be fatal.
• Intestinal perforations. Cooked turkey bones could cause a perforation, resulting in a hole in the intestines or stomach. This can lead to a potentially fatal inflammation of the abdominal lining called peritonitis.
• Digestive upset. Vomiting and diarrhea can be common if a pup ingests something they’re not used to eating, or if they ingest foods with a lot of fat (like turkey skin).
• Pancreatitis. This can result from too much fat in your dog’s diet, so make sure to contact your vet before feeding turkey to your pooch. Dogs prone to pancreatitis (including miniature schnauzers, cocker spaniels, and some terrier breeds) should never be given dark meat or turkey skin because of their high fat content.

Can dogs eat dark turkey meat?

While both white and dark turkey meat are technically safe for dogs to eat, vets recommend only feeding your dog pieces of lean white meat. That’s because the dark meat found in turkey legs and thighs is higher in unwanted fat and calories, while white meat is leaner and more protein-dense.

Turkey skin is similarly high in fat and calories, so do your best to keep your dog’s turkey treats skinless, too.

Dogs experience food allergies just as much as humans. It’s rare for dogs to have a turkey allergy, but it can be possible. If you know your dog has an allergy to similar foods like chicken, we recommend playing it safe by avoiding all poultry, including turkey and eggs.

Common symptoms of turkey allergies in dogs include:

• Itchy skin. Medically referred to as pruritus, itchy skin is often a telltale sign of an underlying allergy.
• Rashes. Dogs with allergies may exhibit patches of red, scaly skin after consuming a food they’re allergic to. These can occur anywhere on the body, but they’re most commonly found along the belly.
• Paw biting. Allergies are the most common cause of paw licking and chewing in dogs. This behavior usually manifests alongside other dermatological symptoms, like rashes and itchy skin.
• Vomiting and diarrhea. These gastrointestinal issues are common indicators of most food intolerances.

🚨 If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after eating turkey, stop giving it to them immediately. 

Of course, turkey’s not the only treat your dog can enjoy — there are tons of safe foods out there that you and your pup can enjoy together. Just remember to see a vet before introducing any human food to your pet, as they’ll be able to give you a clearer picture of which foods are safe for dogs (and which foods to avoid).

Here are a few delicious alternatives for turkey that are pet- and people-safe:

• Lean meat. Lean proteins like chicken, beef, and fish provide dogs with many of the same essential nutrients as turkey and can be fed safely in their fully cooked form.
• Fruits and veggies. Sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, mangos, and (seedless) apples are some of our favorite dog-friendly foods, and they’re all super easy to give to your pooch. Simply wash, peel, and core these treats, and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Then you’ll have plenty of healthy snacks ready to offer your pet. We recommend cooking produce when possible to make it more chewable for your pooch.
• Dog treats. Commercial treat companies produce turkey-flavored treats specially formulated to contain essential vitamins and nutrients for dogs. You can use these to treat your dog to the taste of turkey with none of the risk. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even try your hand at making some delicious DIY dog treats.